St. Francois County Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges

(Farmington) The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control arrested a St. Francois County man this week on child pornography charges.

A news release from the patrol says 22-year-old Joshua Hammers of Farmington was arrested Wednesday for promoting and possession of child pornography.

The arrest was the result of an investigation conducted by members of the Division of Drug and Crime Control’s Digital Forensics Investigative Unit and the Missouri Digital Forensic Center.

On Wednesday, investigators executed a search warrant at Hammers’ residence on Hyler Drive.

Investigators located child pornography on his cellular telephone.

Hammers was arrested and taken to the St. Francois County Jail. On Thursday, the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office formally charged Hammers with one count of promoting child pornography and five counts of possession of child pornography.

The investigation is continuing. Hammers remains in custody at the St. Francois County Jail with a bond of $250,000.

Hammers has already waived his arraignment and has applied for a public defender.

He’s due back in court on Thursday.